MANKATO, Minn. – The Tommies scored two goals in 13 seconds in the third period to upend Minnesota State 3-2 Friday night at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center. Cooper Gay put away the game-winner for St. Thomas at 13:45 at even strength. Mason Poolman and Ethan Elias assisted and the Mavericks failed to find the equalizer with an empty net late.
 
Minnesota State (17-8-2, 12-5-2 CCHA) slipped to second place in the CCHA Standings behind Augustana with seven games left in the regular season. The Mavericks travel to St. Thomas Saturday for the final matchup of the regular season between the CCHA foes.
 
Evan Murr and Rhett Pitlick executed a give-and-go at the left hash and Murr one-timed his third goal of the season just 1:01 into the opening period, giving the Mavericks a positive start. Ralfs Bergmanis collected the second assist at the left point.
 
Later, Josh Groll fired a shot off the crossbar, deemed no-goal upon official review. The Mavericks killed the only minor penalty of the period minutes later and led 14-13 in shots on goal at the first intermission.
 
Pinned in their defensive zone near the midpoint of regulation, Luke Ashton blocked three shots in succession and Tracy covered up a rebound to relieve the pressure. After no scoring in the middle frame, UST took a 24-23 edge in shots.
 
Jake Bracchini tied the game for UST with a low slot shot 7:14 into the third period. Murr responded on the power play for the Mavericks with a tip from Pitlick and Brett Moravec.
 
Four minutes later, Caige Sterzer scored an unassisted goal for the Tommies at even strength and Gay finished off the comeback with his 14^th of the season.
 
Luigi Benincasa helped MSU with 17 faceoff wins. The Mavericks finished 35-52 in the circle. Murr posted a team-high six shots and Ashton led the defensive group with four blocks. Alex Tracy stopped 27 shots while Aaron Trotter posted 34.
 
The Mavericks are 3-4-0 in January with three weekend series splits. Due to Augustana playing fewer conference games than the rest of the league, the regular season standings will be determined by points percentage. The teams total points are divided by games played times three. The team accumulating the highest points percentage during CCHA regular season league contests shall be the CCHA regular season champion.